Exotic Rides: Lamborghini Reventon

The verdict

And you thought the plain-Jane Murcielago was a toy. The Lamborghini Reventon takes everything up a notch, including price and exclusivity.

Luxury score: 47

The practical ride

To tweak our last thought: And you thought the Murcielago was impractical. OK, let’s be fair. There’s hardly an exotic left in production that’s as cantankerous as its predecessors from the ‘80s and back. In those pre-cell-phone days, if you didn’t arrive at your destination, concerned parties would summon an eccentric mechanic to follow your oil trail and the smell of fried clutch to wherever your car retired. Today’s cars stand an excellent chance of returning you home after your ride, without all the drama. So for the Lamborghini Reventon’s drivability and reliability, we presume it’s much the same. Clearly, this ain’t no Honda, but things have improved under parent-company Audi’s regime.

On the other hand, even in terms of exotics, you’ll want to heavily consider how and when you drive your Reventon. Not because of breakdowns, but because of the fact that you will be driving one of the most exclusive exotics — 20 times rarer than a Ferrari Enzo. If it gets crinkled, expect six-figure repair bills and a long wait to get your car back. In other words, don’t let Eddie Griffin drive. Yes, anybody who pays $1.4 million for a car can afford to have it fixed, but it’ll be a big inconvenience. Tell us, who’s the last patient millionaire you've met?

Gas mileage numbers are really just academic for this car, but we reckon the Lamborghini Reventon could cover about eight city miles for every gallon in the tank. On the open road, at double digit speeds, that probably catapults all the way to 11.

The verdict

Just because it can be driven regularly doesn’t mean it’s the smartest thing to do. Careful exercise on the track and occasional drives to show off and stir envy are really what this car is all about, not commuting or errands. If you want a Lamborghini to drive everyday without fear of being a damage magnet, buy a Gallardo.

Practicality score: 28

and the total is...

We can’t even pretend to be in the market for the Murcielago on which the Lamborghini Reventon is based, but this bull is indulgent fun for a privileged few. Are a unique body and nine extra horsepower worth the more than $1 million premium over its predecessor? You can’t quantify it in such terms. The 20 guys who sprang for this car knew what they were getting, and knew why they were getting them. It's all about an image, and the Lamborghini Reventon's got all the right looks, in all the right places.